Many argue that God has given us the choice to believe in him or not to believe, then, should he not respect my choice to make it meaningful, just and fair?
When I am given to choose between two without any negative connotation it is a choice.
But when a law is laid I have no choice because ‘disobedience’ is punished.
And that's what God seems to have done ‘Laid down a rule to believe in Him, if one does not do so he/she dismissed to hell and that too without a hearing’!!
How can such belief be accepted and God considered as Just? Again, is it not pointing a ‘Gun’ at me?
2007-01-22 15:51:08 · 12 answers · asked by madhatter 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The freedom of choice 'gift' god supposedly gave us is the most meaningless and easily refuted concept there is. One has to be totally closed to even a modicum of rational thought to give it validation. It is, however, the linchpin of the whole of christianity, so they MUST keep their minds closed at all costs, no matter how absurd and transparent their refutations become.
2007-01-22 16:02:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Looks like you've paid very close attention to Arminian theology, but no one has touched on Calvinism so I'll give it a try.
What if Man does not have a choice, i.e. with our natural inclination to sin, a) we do not have the ability to look to him for salvation, and b) God would be perfectly justified in not saving anyone given that sin is our own fault.
Therefore, a "free will" is nothing at all to be desired, because the end result is the same no matter what we choose in our daily lives -- rejection of God, and it's God who now has to choose us. If this is true, it would mesh very well with the predestination verses that now can be taken at face value rather than having to be "explained away" by those who would prefer to think of themselves as capable of decision that would ultimately mean meriting heaven, perhaps through the flip of a coin.
Calvinism means a just God, that has the right and privilege to elect his own from before the foundations of the world. No one said this would be a comfortable theology, but it does match very well with what the Bible has to say about man's condition and God's sovereignty.
2007-01-22 16:19:09 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone gets a hearing. You're right, God gave every one of us a choice. A Choice to Love or not to, A choice to Forgive or not to, even the choice to believe in him or not to. No one gets dismissed to hell without a hearing. It is called Judgment Day. You will be the person who judges your own fate. He gave us that choice too. The only catch there is that if we have not lived by God's Laws on Judgment Day our conscious will not let us forgive the wrongs we have done to ourselves and others. That is when the Hell part comes in.
2007-01-22 16:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by LaurenElyse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We were all given the freedom of choice! There is a big difference between "Gods" law and the law of the land, obey the law of the land and be nice to others and do kind things whenever you can and all shall be good and well, of course, that is my opinion! But realistically the laws of the land are just "Gods" law put in today's understandings, so either way, your still doing right. But then again, whats right to you may not be right to me or vice-versa. Follow the laws of the land and you will not be punished to hell, unless its your own hell.
2007-01-22 16:03:48 · answer #4 · answered by sweetpeasmum 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Some atheists call me stupid, brainwashed and all kinds of stuff but God knows who they are and what they need. Some of you think too hard. Everything has to be explained. Or you have to be able to see it. Once you know God, it is the greatest feeling you ever had. And if he didn't give us free will, we would all go to hell. So, in some atheists words, You are silly, brainwashed, and looney for not believing in him. He is just. It is you who are hurting yourself, not Him. He gave you a choice, deal with it. Oh, but science is most of atheists God. Maybe you can talk the darwin theory with satan in hell
2007-01-22 15:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suppose it's similar to parents giving their children rules, and giving them the choice to obey or not. Children know that by disobeying they will get punished, but they can still choose to do the wrong thing.
God isn't forcing you to believe in Him; He's just giving you a little extra encouragement to do so. God is the Father and He has set out the rules. For disobeying Him, the punishment is eternal grounding.
2007-01-22 15:57:58 · answer #6 · answered by laura michelle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All choices carry consequesnces. Some good, some bad. You are free to make your own decisions and with them accept whatever consequences they bring.
Let me be frank with you...you don't want to have anything to do with God now so why cry about it if He grants you your wish in the "here-after"?
What I'm saying is, don't be a hypocrite and say you don't want God in your life but cry about it when He gives you your wish.
Hope this helps!
2007-01-22 16:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by digheyzeus 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meaningful life-long one. But the overnights are good while I'm working on that.
2016-03-28 22:10:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you do have a choice. Afterlife is a fact despite what people think, so you can follow Christ and be saved or live forever in misery without Him.
2007-01-22 16:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by Brad H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
only when a good choice is available naturally. Religions with deities don't actually offer good choices sometimes .And go even further when they deny the primary truth of an honest start.
2007-01-22 15:56:08 · answer #10 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋